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Altova XMLSpy VS Thunder Client

Compare Altova XMLSpy VS Thunder Client and see what are their differences

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Altova XMLSpy logo Altova XMLSpy

The XMLSpy XML Editor is a powerful tool for editing XML and related technologies. It is the only XML Editor with patented SmartFix validation, enterprise-grade editors, converters, debuggers, and code generators.

Thunder Client logo Thunder Client

Rest API client for VS Code, lightweight Postman alternative
  • Altova XMLSpy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-23
  • Thunder Client Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-05

Altova XMLSpy features and specs

  • Comprehensive XML Support
    Altova XMLSpy provides extensive support for XML-related technologies, including XSD, XSLT, XPath, XQuery, and more, facilitating a wide range of XML development tasks.
  • Graphical XML Schema Editor
    The tool offers a visual representation for editing XML Schemas, making it easier to understand complex data structures and relationships without diving into raw XML code.
  • Intelligent Code Completion
    XMLSpy offers intelligent code completion and syntax checking, which can significantly speed up development and reduce errors in XML, JSON, and other code.
  • Support for Database Integration
    It allows seamless integration with databases, enabling users to import, export, and query data directly using XML and JSON tools within the software.
  • Robust Debugging and Reporting
    With powerful debugging capabilities and detailed error reporting, XMLSpy assists developers in troubleshooting and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of their XML applications.

Possible disadvantages of Altova XMLSpy

  • Cost
    XMLSpy is a premium software with a corresponding price tag, which may be prohibitive for individual developers or small businesses with limited budgets.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its comprehensive set of features, new users may find XMLSpy challenging to learn and master compared to simpler, more focused XML tools.
  • Resource Intensive
    The software can be demanding in terms of system resources, potentially affecting performance, especially on lower-end hardware or with large files.
  • Complex User Interface
    While feature-rich, the user interface can be overwhelming for beginners, with numerous options and settings that might not be intuitive at first glance.
  • Platform Limitation
    XMLSpy is primarily available for Windows, which limits its accessibility for developers working on other operating systems such as macOS or Linux without using a virtual machine or similar solutions.

Thunder Client features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Thunder Client offers a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to create and manage API requests without getting overwhelmed by complex features.
  • VS Code Integration
    Being an extension for Visual Studio Code, it is convenient for developers who already use VS Code, enabling seamless API testing within their development environment.
  • Lightweight
    Compared to other API testing tools, Thunder Client is lightweight, making it ideal for users who need a quick and simple solution for testing APIs without extensive configuration.
  • Environment Variables
    The tool allows the use of environment variables, enabling users to manage different environments effectively and switch between them easily.
  • Support for Collections
    Supports organizing requests into collections, allowing for efficient management and categorization of related requests.

Possible disadvantages of Thunder Client

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Thunder Client lacks some of the advanced features found in more robust API testing tools, such as automation scripts and extensive plugin support.
  • Dependency on VS Code
    As a VS Code extension, it requires Visual Studio Code to run. This dependency can be a drawback for users who prefer other code editors or standalone applications.
  • No Collaboration Features
    Unlike some other API testing tools, Thunder Client does not have built-in collaboration features, which can limit its use in team environments.
  • Platform Specific
    It is primarily designed for use within Visual Studio Code, which may not be ideal for users who work across multiple platforms or require a standalone solution.

Analysis of Altova XMLSpy

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Altova XMLSpy is generally regarded as a good choice for both novice and advanced users who need a robust XML and JSON editor. Its extensive feature set, combined with a user-friendly interface and reliable performance, makes it a popular choice among developers and IT professionals.

Why this product is good

  • Altova XMLSpy is considered a good XML editor because it offers a wide range of powerful tools for editing, validating, and debugging XML. It provides features such as a graphical XML Schema editor, support for XSLT and XQuery, integration with relational databases, and comprehensive XML validation capabilities. The professional edition also includes JSON and SOAP debugging functionality, making it versatile for different types of XML-related tasks.

Recommended for

  • XML and JSON developers
  • Data architects
  • Integrators dealing with data interchange formats
  • IT professionals working with SOAP and web services
  • Software engineers needing XML Schema and WSDL tools

Analysis of Thunder Client

Overall verdict

  • Thunder Client is a good option for developers who want a minimalistic and efficient tool for testing APIs without the need for a standalone application. It is particularly beneficial for those who use Visual Studio Code as their primary development environment.

Why this product is good

  • Thunder Client is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a popular choice for developers who require a lightweight API testing solution. It is integrated directly into Visual Studio Code, allowing users to manage API requests without switching between applications. It supports RESTful services and offers features like collections, environment variables, and authentication support, comparable to other tools but within a more streamlined interface.

Recommended for

  • Developers who prefer working within Visual Studio Code
  • Those who need a simple and fast tool for testing REST APIs
  • Developers looking for an alternative to more complex API testing tools
  • Teams or individuals with straightforward API testing needs and require easy sharing of request collections

Altova XMLSpy videos

Altova XMLSpy - Edit, Debug and Execute XQuery

Thunder Client videos

Thunder Client - API testing right inside VSCode

More videos:

  • Review - Do you really need Postman? | Use Thunder Client - VSCode extension | Easy & Lightweight
  • Review - Thunder client - Vscode extension | Say no to Postman

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Altova XMLSpy and Thunder Client)
Text Editors
100 100%
0% 0
Developer Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Task Management
100 100%
0% 0
API Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Altova XMLSpy and Thunder Client

Altova XMLSpy Reviews

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Thunder Client Reviews

Best Postman Alternatives To Consider in 2025
This free, feature-rich extension integrates seamlessly with VSCode, making it ideal for developers who prefer a unified environment. Thunder Client offers collection management, environment variables, and basic automation capabilities. It stands out for its tight integration with VSCode's debugging tools.
15 Best Postman Alternatives for Automated API Testing [2022 Updated]
Thunder Client is a Vscode Postman alternative that runs as a Visual Studio Code extension (not open source). Its design focuses on simple and efficient HTTP clients while constructing or connecting with APIs. Thunder Client can handle a wide range of API requests. It effectively processes immense amounts of data simultaneously while not slowing down the VS Code program.
Source: testsigma.com
Top 5 Postman alternatives
Thunder Client is a VS Code extension focusing on being a simple and efficient HTTP client while building or integrating with APIs. It supports collections as a way to group relevant requests. Moreover, ThunderClient supports the concept of Environment and Environment Variables to store and re-use values within multiple requests. Finally, ThunderClinet offers a UI that you...
Source: testfully.io

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Altova XMLSpy and Thunder Client, you can also consider the following products

XML Copy Editor - XML Copy Editor is a fast, free, validating XML editor.

Postman - The Collaboration Platform for API Development

Oxygen XML Editor - Oxygen XML Editor provides a comprehensive suite of XML authoring and development tools.

Insomnia REST - Design, debug, test, and mock APIs locally, on Git, or cloud. Build better APIs collaboratively for the most popular protocols with a dev‑friendly UI, built-in automation, and an extensible plugin ecosystem.

Liquid Studio - XML Tools Provider: XML Studio - Graphical XML Schema Editor.

EchoAPI - Next-gen API development collaboration platform. More than just API design, debug, test, load-testing, and mock.